Shoe construction



Jan. 26, 1937. J, E, LANGLEY 2,068,860

A SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 5, 4192,4

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ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT orner:

1 Claim.

The invention relates to a shoe contruction and more especially to acombined heel cushion and arch support.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an insert for ashoe, wherein the same functions as a heel cushion and arch support, aswell as a exible, semi-flexible or rigid insole and is permanently builtinto the shoe, so that when the latter is worn and the wearer places hisheel or foot to the ground there is a general give at the heel whichallows the weight of the body to settle in the shoe without a jar and asthe weight presses down on the heel the yielding of the same will causethe said heel portion to be arranged below the plane of the arch portionof said insert and slightly bulge or arch the same so that in a furtherwalking movement of the wearer the inner longitudinal arch of his footwill be brought against and rest in a natural way upon the said archedportion of the insert, and incident to its elasticity, the heel portionof the insert will be returned to its initial position, as the weight ofthe heel of the foo-t is relieved therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an insert of thischaracter, wherein the same when in use prevents falling arches, as wellas relieving weak arches.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an insert of thischaracter, wherein there Will be absorbed all shocks ordinarilytransmitted to the human heel and arch in the act of walking, thusrendering walking easier and more pleasant.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an insert ofthis character which is comparatively simple in construction, thoroughlyreliable and eflicient in its purposes, readily and easily built into ashoe, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of theinvention,

and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View through a shoeshowing the insert constructed in accordance with the invention builttherein.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the insole illustrating the insert associatedtherewith.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal edge elevation.

Figure 4 is a detail plan view of the insert removed irom the insole.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the same.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, particularly Figures 1 to 5inclusive, there is illustrated a low shoe, a portion thereof beingdesignated generally at A having, as usual, a Whole outer sole I and aheel II, these being covered by a whole insole I2, preferably formedfrom leather. This insole I2 is split from the heel end to the arch areaI3 to provide a space or pocket I4 confronted by an upper lift I and alower lift I6, respectively, the forward end of the space or pocket I4being angularly edged, as at II. The insole I2 is also split from thetoe end to the arch area I3, as at I8, to render the front portion orthe sole part of said insole flexible. The lower lift I6 of the insoleI2 may have attachment with the outer sole I0 and the heel II byfasteners, such as nails I9.

Received in the pocket I4 is the combined heel cushion and arch supportcomprising a body 20, preferably made from rubber, although it may bemade from any flexible material or metal, and conforming to the contourof the heel end of the shoe, while Vat the forward end of this body 20is the curvilinear-shaped horn 2| functioning as an arch support, thebody 20 being conned in the pocket I 4 between the upper and lower liftsI5 and I6 of the insole I 2 and in the use thereof Vthe said insert willfunction to absorb shocks ordinarily transmitted to the human heel andarch in the act of walking when the shoe is worn, as well as preventingthe delicate bone of the heel of the foot from coming in contact withthe fasteners I9 securing the sole Ill and the heel I I to the upper ofthe shoe A. My insert is designed to impart to the foot the same softeffect as were a person, employing the same, walking barefooted over asandy or like yieldable surface. When standing the main weight of a bodyis directed onto the heel of the foot and with my insert the heelportion of the insert will be compressed in a gentle manner so that thesame will be arranged below the arch portion of said insert andtherefore such arched portion will be arranged to properly contact withthe arch of the foot and the horn will be arranged against the side ofthe foot. This, of course, is true with respect to the rocking of thefoot in walking.

In the working of the insert the compression of the heel portion of thesaid insert creates a slight bulge at the arch thereof which causes thehorn to be brought into snug contact with one side of the foot.

What is claimed is:

A shoe having an inner sole of readily exible material which iscentrally slit transversely from its toe and heel portions to presentupper and lower lifts, the slit from the toe end of the inner soleterminating in a straight transverse wall which is arranged forwardly ofthe shank of the shoe and the slit at the heel portion of the inner soleterminating in an angle wall which is directed from the forward end ofthe shank at one side of the shoe to the forward end of the heel at thesecond side of the shoe, and an insert received between the lifts at theheel portion of the shoe having a tapered end which contacts with theangle wall between said lifts, and having a horn on one of its edges torest against the shoe at lthe waist thereof.

JOHN E. LANGLEY.

